Blogging Live from the Board of Education Meeting: 59 Teachers To Receive Pink Slips

The regularly scheduled Trenton Board of Education meeting came to order at 6:30 p.m

Superintendents Report presented by Superintendent John Savel (6:35 p.m.):

• Aurthurs Middle School students traveled to Washignton D.C. and laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soilder. About 160 people went on the trip including parents and chaperones.
• Adding solor panels to a building in the district was a suggestion received at the public forums from March. Research found that 31 solar panels would be needed to provide energy for a building and would cost $375,000 to buy and install the panels. Savel thought the board should know.
• Commented about the forum with Sen. Patrick Colbeck that took place at TV's Deli & Dinerand Monday and announced that Colbeck does not support Gov. Rick Snyders proposal to reallocate public school funds to colleges and universites.

Public Participation I (6:45 p.m.):

• Carol Dolan of Trenton whose children went to Trenton Public Schools ans said she was once an employee of the Transportation Department in Trenton commented on the importantance of the transportation supervisor position. Explained some of the jobs of a transportation supervisor position.
• Trenton Band Booster representative announced a fund raising effort called Jazz Cafe 2011 held on April 28 at the Westfield Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Bands from the middle school and high school are scheduled to participate in the event. 50/50 raffles and other opportunities for residents to donate to the band are also scheduled.
• A junior student from Trenton High School spoke about how important each teacher in the district is and how much they give to the students. She said losing more teacher sand having larger class sizes would inhibit learning for her and her classmates.
• Resident Charelene Olsen spoke to the board about the safety of the bus routes. She has mentioned the safety of bus routes at the previous three or four meetings.

Board Member Comments:

• Crisine Howe said the presentation on Raising Readers was great and she hopes to have it in the district again.
• Thomas Kinney read a letter he wrote to the audience about a visit he paid to a classroom in the district. A little girl hugged himand thanked him and he said that "what we do here and what goes on here is pretty wonderful." He added that he is more than willing to visit any classroom. "All you have to do is ask."

General Consent Agenda

• Approved.

Reduction of Staff:

• Trenton Public Schools make 59 teacher reductions effective June 2011. Further there were two adminisatrative reductions in personel. The reductions were decided upon due to the lack of funds in the district, also effective June 2011.
• The people being handed pink slips will be notified this week, so their names were not announced at the meeting. Savel said the names of the teachers and administrators to receive pink slips would be made available to the public on Friday and can be found on the district website.

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

The next regularly meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 9.